The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) saw a mild rebound on February 18, 2025, closing 0.13% higher at 1,584.84 points. Market sentiment was buoyed by last-minute buying activity, helping the index recover from earlier losses. However, weakness in glove manufacturers and broader market uncertainty capped gains.
Key Bursa Malaysia Indices Performance
| Index | Close (points) | One-Day Change (%) | YTD Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBM KLCI | 1,584.84 | +0.13% | -3.50% |
| FBM Mid 70 | 17,537.19 | -1.43% | -6.92% |
| FBM Small Cap | 16,892.13 | -0.70% | -5.96% |
| FBM ACE | 5,074.49 | -1.06% | -5.69% |
Market Overview: Trading Volume & Value
- Total Volume: 3.619 billion shares (up from 2.989 billion on the previous trading day)
- Total Value: RM 2.647 billion (compared to RM 1.957 billion prior)
- Market Breadth: 397 gainers vs. 643 losers
Top Movers and Laggards (FBM KLCI)
Top 5 Gainers:
| Company | Close (RM) | One-Day Change (%) | YTD Change (%) | Market Cap (RM Mil) |
| Maxis Bhd | 3.520 | +2.92% | -3.56% | 27,572.6 |
| 99 Speed Mart | 2.100 | +1.45% | -14.98% | 17,640.0 |
| CIMB Group | 8.400 | +1.20% | +2.44% | 90,149.0 |
| Hong Leong Financial | 18.280 | +0.99% | -1.19% | 20,935.4 |
| Press Metal | 5.150 | +0.98% | +5.10% | 42,434.0 |
Top 5 Losers:
| Company | Close (RM) | One-Day Change (%) | YTD Change (%) | Market Cap (RM Mil) |
| CelcomDigi Bhd | 3.400 | -2.86% | -6.08% | 39,887.1 |
| Petronas Chemicals | 3.900 | -2.74% | -24.56% | 31,200.0 |
| PPB Group | 11.180 | -2.10% | -9.84% | 15,904.7 |
| YTL Power | 3.330 | -1.48% | -24.66% | 27,362.2 |
| YTL Corp | 2.020 | -1.46% | -24.34% | 22,316.0 |
Sector Highlights
Telecommunications:
- Maxis Bhd gained 2.92% to close at RM 3.52, driven by strong investor sentiment.
- CelcomDigi Bhd, however, fell 2.86%, making it one of the biggest losers in the telecom sector.
Banking & Financials:
- CIMB Group Holdings saw a 1.20% increase, reflecting growing investor confidence.
- Hong Leong Financial Group recorded a 0.99% uptick to RM 18.28.
Glove Sector Weakness:
- Hartalega Holdings Bhd dropped -0.79 RM to RM 2.61, recording a YTD loss of -33.92%.
- Top Glove Corp Bhd declined -0.16 RM to RM 1.00, continuing its downtrend with a YTD loss of -25.37%.
Currency Performance
- USD/MYR: 4.4465 (+0.5690 YTD change)
- SGD/MYR: 3.3130 (-0.8270 YTD change)
Market Commentary & Outlook
The KLCI’s modest rebound suggests that investor confidence is gradually stabilizing, despite headwinds in the glove manufacturing and consumer retail sectors. The telecommunications and banking sectors showed resilience, with Maxis and CIMB posting gains. Moving forward, market players will likely monitor regional trends, particularly the China market rally, which played a role in lifting the broader Asian markets today.
Investors should also keep an eye on the ringgit’s performance against the US dollar, as a weakening currency may impact import-heavy industries and consumer purchasing power.